It’s semi-final time at an incredible Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday – a tournament that has been well worth the wait since its delay from 2023 in Cote d’Ivoire.
Nigeria and South Africa serve up a heavy duty battle first, with both former Afcon champions on a collision course with a place in Sunday’s final at stake.
Then the hosts who just don’t know when they’re dead, as the Ivorians look to extend a miraculous run in their home competition that you simply couldn’t make up against DR Congo.
Nigeria vs South Africa – 19.00
Nigeria and South Africa renew hostilities on Wednesday at the semi-final stage of the delayed 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire.
The pair are economic and political heavyweights on the African continent – and both former Afcon champions to boot.
Free scoring Ademola Lookman was the hero for the men in green, with the England-born striker’s third knockout goal enough to see his side edge out Angola in the quarter-finals on Friday night.
Victor Osimhen then had a headed goal of his own ruled out for offside by VAR, to leave the Nigerians sweating on their 1-0 win on a sultry Ivorian night.
It had been an easier ride in the Round of 16 for Rigobert Song and Co.
Lookman’s double paved the way for a comfortable enough success against disappointing, five-time Afcon champions Cameroon in Abidjan.
It was a performance at the other end of the field that went down in history for Bafana Bafana on Saturday night, as goalkeeper Ronwen Williams pulled off a staggering four penalty saves.
The 32-year-old’s sparkling effort ensured a 2-1 spot kick success over Cape Verde following a goalless 120 minutes plus change of sapping regulation and extra time in the Ivorian heat.
Veteran boss Hugo Broos and his charges already had a 2-0 Round of 16 success against Fifa World Cup semi-finalists Morocco to boast about.
And the dream of repeating their 1996 Afcon win is very much alive, in a hefty turnaround from Bafana’s opening group defeat to Mali three weeks ago.
Cote d’Ivoire vs DR Congo – 22.00
It’s another improbable semi-final at the Africa Cup of Nations on Wednesday night, as indestructible host nation Cote d’Ivoire collide with DR Congo for a prized place in Sunday’s final.
How the Elephants are still in their home Afcon is a mystery for the ages.
And it’s one that only grew in scale in the quarter-finals, as they were reduced to ten men before going a goal down in the second half to Mali.
Step up Simon Adingra, who equalized in the dying seconds of normal time, before Oumar Diakite went one better by notching the winner in added time of extra time to seal yet another astonishing turnaround.
Not satisfied with that high drama, Diakite even managed to pick up a second yellow card for removing his shirt in celebration, seeing him banned for this last four clash.
It’s box office all round for the Ivorians, who were thrashed 4-0 in the group stage, sacked coach Jean-Louis Gasset and even pulled off a penalty shootout heist against Sadio Mane’s reigning champions Senegal in the Round of 16.
A fine quarter-final comeback has also afforded the Congolese a shot at the last four.
Chancel Mbemba pulled level just six minutes after Guinea took the lead through a 21st-minute penalty.
Then came English Premier League star Yoane Wissa with a second half spot kick of his own, before Arthur Masuaku made sure with a free kick that crept through the grasp of flapping Guinean keeper Ibrahim Kone.
It was a much steadier evening for the Leopards than their Round of 16 assignment against Egypt.
Lionel Mpasi was the penalty shootout hero, with the goalkeeper slotting to seal a dramatic, grueling 8-7 spot kick win following an exhausting 120 minutes plus change of knockout football between themselves and the Mohamed Salah-less Pharaohs.
Afcon quarter-final predictions and fixtures for 7 February
*All kick off times are in Central Africa Time.
Côte d’Ivoire v Congo DR
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Congo DR / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | Y. Wissa(Congo DR) |
Nigeria v South Africa
| Result prediction | draw |
| Over/Under prediction | under 2.5 goals |
| HT / FT prediction | Nigeria / draw |
| Team to Score prediction | both teams |
| Anytime Goalscorer prediction | A. Lookman(Nigeria) |